The dietary carbohydrate most directly implicated in human dental caries is____________?
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Answer: B. Sucrose
Explanation
Sucrose is the most cariogenic dietary carbohydrate because bacteria synthesize extracellular polysaccharides from it. Glucosyltransferase enzymes convert sucrose into sticky glucans that form the dental plaque matrix. This sticky matrix anchors acid-producing bacteria firmly against the vulnerable tooth enamel surface. Dietary sugars are rapidly fermented by oral bacteria to produce organic acids that demineralize enamel. Frequent sugar consumption maintains a prolonged acidic oral environment favoring caries development. Prevention programs emphasize limiting between-meal sugar snacks to reduce dental decay risk.
Nutritional counseling is an essential component of comprehensive preventive dental care for children. Public health initiatives promote sugar-free alternatives to minimize population-wide dental caries rates. Understanding carbohydrate metabolism explains why dietary habits directly impact oral health. Glucose is readily fermented into acid but lacks the specific glucan-forming properties of sucrose. Dextran is an extracellular polysaccharide synthesized from sucrose rather than a primary dietary sugar. Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrate polymers that are less rapidly fermented into cariogenic acids.
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